LifeVac, Dechoker, and Abdominal Thrusts for Choking

Overseen By Cody Dunne, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Calgary

Disqualifiers: Physical disability, Healthcare training

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

132 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING DONE? Little is known about the best treatment for choking. New airway clearance devices like LifeVac© and Dechoker© are being sold to help a choking person. Researchers do not know how well they work compared to other techniques like abdominal thrusts or back blows. The purpose of this research study is to see how well bystanders can use the choking techniques. RESEARCH QUESTION Among laypersons, which FBAO intervention (abdominal thrusts, LifeVac©, or Dechoker©) results in the greatest proportion of FBAO relief within one-minute? PARTICIPANTS Adults aged 18 years or greater. INTERVENTIONS View a video of each choking intervention, and then complete a choking scenario where participants will try to relieve an airway obstruction on a simulation mannequin. The three interventions are: LifeVac, Dechoker, and Abdominal Thrusts. Participants will be invited back between 90-120 days to repeat the scenarios to assess retention.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Abdominal Thrusts, Dechoker, LifeVac for choking?

Research shows that the DeChoker device successfully removed obstructions in 26 out of 27 choking cases in care homes, and the LifeVac device was effective in 38 out of 39 choking emergencies in patients with swallowing difficulties. Abdominal thrusts, a traditional method, are known to increase chest pressure to help clear blockages. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the LifeVac and Dechoker safe for use in choking emergencies?

The LifeVac and Dechoker devices have been used in real-world choking emergencies with minimal reported complications. Studies show they are generally safe, with successful outcomes in most cases and few adverse events. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How does the treatment for choking using LifeVac, Dechoker, and Abdominal Thrusts differ from other treatments?

The treatment for choking using LifeVac, Dechoker, and Abdominal Thrusts is unique because it combines mechanical devices (LifeVac and Dechoker) with a physical technique (Abdominal Thrusts) to clear airway obstructions. This approach offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods, potentially increasing effectiveness and safety in emergency situations. ^{7 8 9 10 11}

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for adults aged 18 or older who can communicate in English. It's designed to evaluate how well people can use different choking relief techniques, such as LifeVac, Dechoker, and abdominal thrusts on a simulation mannequin after watching an instructional video.

Inclusion Criteria

I can communicate in English to sign informed consent.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Pre-simulation Orientation

Participants receive an orientation to the simulator and environment, and are briefed on the outcomes being assessed.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants view educational videos and perform choking interventions on a simulation mannequin using LifeVac, Dechoker, and Abdominal Thrusts.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are invited back to repeat the scenarios to assess skills retention.

90-120 days

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Abdominal Thrusts
• Dechoker
• LifeVac

Trial Overview The trial tests three interventions for relieving airway obstruction: LifeVac, Dechoker, and traditional abdominal thrusts. Participants will watch a video demonstration of each technique before attempting to clear a blockage on a mannequin. They'll be retested after 90-120 days to see if they remember the techniques.

Participant Groups

Group I: LV - DC - AT Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: LifeVac then Dechoker then Abdominal Thrusts

Group II: LV - AT - DC Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: LifeVac then Abdominal Thrusts then Dechoker

Group III: DC - LV - AT Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: Dechoker then LifeVac then Abdominal Thrusts

Group IV: DC - AT - LV Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: Dechoker then Abdominal Thrusts then LifeVac

Group V: AT - LV - DC Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: Abdominal Thrusts then LifeVac then Dechoker

Group VI: AT - DC - LV Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order: Abdominal Thrusts then Dechoker then LifeVac

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials

827

Recruited

902,000+

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians

Industry Sponsor

Trials

9

Recruited

1,000+

Findings from Research

Untrained health science students were able to effectively use the LifeVac® and DeCHOKER® anti-choking devices in simulated choking scenarios, achieving compliance rates between 80-100%.

The LifeVac® device was significantly faster to use than the DeCHOKER®, with an average completion time of 36.6 seconds compared to 50.4 seconds, suggesting it may be more efficient in emergency situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Would anti-choking devices be correctly and quickly managed by health science students? A manikin crossover trial. Cardalda-Serantes, B., Carballo-Fazanes, A., Rodríguez-Ruiz, E., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 27 choking incidents in UK adult care homes, the DeChoker Airway Clearance Device successfully removed obstructions in 26 cases, demonstrating high efficacy with minimal complications.

Care home staff reported that the DeChoker was easy to use and effective, with 78% of victims not needing to visit Accident and Emergency, suggesting it could be a valuable tool in managing choking emergencies, especially for individuals with limited mobility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of DeChoker, an Airway Clearance Device (ACD) Used in Adult Choking Emergencies Within the Adult Care Home Sector: A Mixed Methods Case Study. Bhanderi, BG., Palmer Hill, S.[2023]

Airway clearance devices (ACDs) like LifeVac and Dechoker have shown promise in resolving choking symptoms, with successful outcomes reported in 123 cases for LifeVac and 60 cases for Dechoker among a total of 185 interventions.

The use of ACDs resulted in a low incidence of adverse events (1.6%), indicating they are generally safe, but further independent studies are needed to enhance data quality and refine choking intervention protocols.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase One of a Global Evaluation of Suction-Based Airway Clearance Devices in Foreign Body Airway Obstructions: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis. Dunne, CL., Osman, S., Viguers, K., et al.[2023]

The LifeVac, a novel portable non-powered suction device, has been reported to successfully resuscitate 38 out of 39 adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia during choking emergencies over a 6-year period, indicating its potential efficacy in real-world situations.

The device presents a minimal risk and may serve as a valuable alternative for resuscitating choking patients when traditional methods like abdominal thrusts or back blows are ineffective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of a Novel Portable Non-powered Suction Device in Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia During a Choking Emergency. McKinley, MJ., Deede, J., Markowitz, B.[2022]

The Heimlich manoeuvre is effective for managing choking, and this study found that the method of performing abdominal thrusts (upthrust vs circumferential) does not change the pressure generated in the chest, which is crucial for dislodging an obstruction.

Self-administered abdominal thrusts can generate similar pressures as those performed by another person, and using a chair for thrusts can produce even higher pressures, suggesting that both methods should be included in basic life support training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Choking on a foreign body: a physiological study of the effectiveness of abdominal thrust manoeuvres to increase thoracic pressure. Pavitt, MJ., Swanton, LL., Hind, M., et al.[2022]

In a study using a fresh cadaver model, the DeChoker device caused significant injury to the tongue and failed to remove any foreign body, while the LifeVac only successfully removed saltine crackers but not other aspirated items.

Both devices applied considerable pressure to the oral cavity, raising concerns about potential injury, and the study suggests that bystanders should adhere to established resuscitation guidelines rather than relying on these devices for foreign body aspiration emergencies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of two commercially available devices for airway foreign body relief: A cadaver study. Ramaswamy, A., Done, A., Solis, R., et al.[2023]

A new method for synthesizing organophosphorus compounds from common aryl and vinyl carboxylic acids using decarbonylative palladium catalysis has been developed, demonstrating excellent versatility with over 50 functional groups.

The study includes DFT analyses that reveal the reasons behind the high selectivity in bond activation and the isomerization pathway of P(O)-H, enhancing our understanding of the reaction mechanism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decarbonylative Phosphorylation of Carboxylic Acids via Redox-Neutral Palladium Catalysis. Liu, C., Ji, CL., Zhou, T., et al.[2022]

The study presents a new method for synthesizing disubstituted alkyne compounds using a copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling process, which is effective at just 2 mol% copper loading.

This method is highlighted as simple, economical, and practical, making it a valuable approach for organic synthesis in the laboratory.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Highly effective copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aryl halides with alkynyl carboxylic acids. Qu, X., Li, T., Sun, P., et al.[2013]

A new method using a copper catalyst allows for the efficient cross-coupling of α-amino acids with various C-H nucleophiles to create different types of carbon bonds without needing additional ligands or oxidants.

This technique not only produces nitrogen-containing compounds in good to excellent yields but also demonstrates practicality through successful gram-scale experiments and the synthesis of a Rad51 inhibitor in just three steps.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Copper-catalyzed aerobic decarboxylative coupling between cyclic α-amino acids and diverse C-H nucleophiles with low catalyst loading. Guo, J., Xie, Y., Wu, QL., et al.[2022]

A new one-pot chemical reaction allows for the efficient creation of 2,4-diolefinic and 2,4,6-triolefinic monocarboxylic acids from aldehydes and glutaconic acid, which can be used as building blocks in organic chemistry.

This method is versatile, applicable to both saturated and unsaturated aldehydes, providing a straightforward approach to produce valuable organic compounds and reactive intermediates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

One-pot formation of 2,4-di- or 2,4,6-tri-olefinic monocarboxylic acids by straight chain C4-extension. Sobotta, J., Schmalhofer, M., Steiner, TM., et al.[2022]

A new Pd-catalyzed method allows for the efficient construction of nine-membered carbocycles using vinyl methylene cyclic carbonates and allylidenemalononitriles, with CO2 as the only byproduct.

This strategy offers controllable regioselectivity and also explores the formation of valuable seven-membered carbocycles, highlighting its versatility in synthetic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Kinetically Controllable Construction of Nine-Membered Carbocycles via Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cycloaddition. Liu, Y., He, Y., Liu, Y., et al.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Would anti-choking devices be correctly and quickly managed by health science students? A manikin crossover trial. [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of DeChoker, an Airway Clearance Device (ACD) Used in Adult Choking Emergencies Within the Adult Care Home Sector: A Mixed Methods Case Study. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase One of a Global Evaluation of Suction-Based Airway Clearance Devices in Foreign Body Airway Obstructions: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of a Novel Portable Non-powered Suction Device in Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia During a Choking Emergency. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Choking on a foreign body: a physiological study of the effectiveness of abdominal thrust manoeuvres to increase thoracic pressure. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of two commercially available devices for airway foreign body relief: A cadaver study. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decarbonylative Phosphorylation of Carboxylic Acids via Redox-Neutral Palladium Catalysis. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Highly effective copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aryl halides with alkynyl carboxylic acids. [2013]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Copper-catalyzed aerobic decarboxylative coupling between cyclic α-amino acids and diverse C-H nucleophiles with low catalyst loading. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

One-pot formation of 2,4-di- or 2,4,6-tri-olefinic monocarboxylic acids by straight chain C4-extension. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Kinetically Controllable Construction of Nine-Membered Carbocycles via Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cycloaddition. [2022]